An abandoned hotel stands in a field in the midground in Ashcroft, a mining town near Castle Creek, south of Aspen in Pitkin County, Colorado. The town was originally called Chloride but its residents renamed it Ashcroft in 1882 after rich ore was discovered in the Montezuma and Tam O'Shanter mines, partially owned by H.A.W. Tabor of Leadville mining fame. Tabor and his second wife, Baby Doe, reportedly visited Ashcroft in 1883 and hosted a grand ball and banquet during ; snow-capped mountain is in the distance.; their stay. Tabor also reportedly bought rounds of drinks for everyone in each of the town's 13 saloons. By 1885, Ashcroft had about 3,500 residents with six hotels and 20 saloons. A rich strike in nearby Aspen in 1884, however, would lead to the end of Ashcroft's prosperity as people began moving to Aspen instead of there. By 1890, most of the businesses had left Ashcroft, and, in 1939, the town's last resident, Jack Leahy, died, officially making it a ghost town. A

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Image File: ZZR700125231

Notes

Negative has small hole in upper corner.; See also "K-7" and "K-232."; Title from inventory prepared by Western History Department, Denver Public Library; words "Kemp #A-10 S.W. of Aspen near Castle Creek" penciled on negative envelope.; R7001252317

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00125231.tif

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